News

Devizes pub makeover to include TV ‘stars’ shows

Devizes landlord Jim Lynch is determined to change the image of his town centre pub following a £200,000 refit.

The Crown in New Park Street has a late licence on Friday and Saturday nights and has been a mecca for young people who have wanted to drink until late.

Now the pub has brought in a new policy which means no customers are admitted after midnight.

Mr Lynch said: “We have never had that much trouble in the pub itself, but we used to get the blame for anything that happened in the early hours even if the people involved had left “Since we brought in the new rule about five weeks ago we have had no trouble at all. We don’t want to be a place that is at the end of people’s pub-crawl on a Saturday night.

“We want to be a destination at the beginning of the evening or at least in the middle of it.”

Wadworth marketing manager Paul Sullivan said the brewery had paid for the pub to be completely refurbished and for the kitchen to be refitted and extended to help the pub’s new image.

He said: “We want the pub to be a place where people of all ages can go to enjoy an excellent meal and to enjoy a drink in a responsible fashion. We don’t want it to be just known as a young person’s pub.”

The large raised area at the back of the pub used for music on weekend evenings is now an elegant dining area with upholstered seating and 18th century paintings.

It is to be used for live music once a fortnight on Fridays from 9pm but the traditional Saturday night discos will remain.

Mr Lynch said: “We will be putting the spotlight on local bands but also bringing in some talent from the X Factor. It won’t be Sam Bailey, but it will be the people who got as far as the judge’s houses.”